Opinion

We have had some wonderful KWB Presidents over the years, starting with Martha Knies then Ann Arendarczyk and Carol Scheel.

Under legislation prioritized by House Speaker Dade Phelan, every Texas school would have an armed police officer, and aspiring teachers would receive extra support.

When I take my dog for our daily walk the comment from neighbors has changed from “it’s chilly out” to “beautiful day for a walk.”

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

The Texas Redbuds (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) are blooming around town.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has created a statewide task force after several “street takeovers” recently took place in Austin in which motorists obstructed intersections, shot off fireworks and drove recklessly.

Keep Wimberley Beautiful is again sponsoring a roadside cleanup and large item disposal event for free on Saturday, March 18.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in a State of the State address last Thursday, outlined his seven top priorities for the ongoing legislative session before an invitation-only audience at a manufacturing facility in San Marcos, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Those priorities include $4 billion for border security, property tax relief and more school choice for parents, which he called “education freedom.” He avoided use of the word “vouchers.’

We are lucky to live where we start to see signs of spring in February. With the rains we have had this month, I think it is safe to say we are going to have a colorful spring.

Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for Texas counties affected by the early February ice storm and is seeking a federal declaration as well for areas in Southeast Texas affected by rare January tornadoes. The ice storm caused considerable damage to property and power outages in the affected areas. The declaration for icestorm damaged counties includes Denton, Hays, Henderson, Milam, Smith, Travis and Williamson counties.

In 2022, we had our trees trimmed at our house because many of the oaks had low branches that made mowing and driving under them difficult. The utility company trimmed many branches that were too close to the telephone and electric wires.

Residents in Central and Northeast Texas are still cleaning up after a winter storm last week snapped power lines and tree limbs, causing widespread power outages, canceled flights and damage to homes and vehicles.

We have a cluster of hackberry trees (Celtis laevigata) in our side yard. A branch of the largest one is visible from our bird room window. This year, I paid close attention as its leaves turned brownish-yellow and fell to the ground. There, they mulched the horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) that grows below. With this cost- and labor-free mulching and the provided shade, the ground cover flourishes — never needing water or mowing.